Saints win, Pembroke sin
A combined St Anne's and St Peter's side routed Pembroke's Cinderella side in the women's rugby Cuppers final on Monday, with a final score of 36-0.
The Saints put up points quickly, accumulating 24 in the first of the 20-minute halves. The Pink Ladies managed to slow down the canonized colossus in the second half, limiting the Saints to 12 points, but never really threatened.
Gemma Saffhill led the St Anne's/St Peter's side with two tries, while Helen Wright, Alice McGregor, and Keshena Richardson each had one. Captain Jo Taylor also added a try.
The Saints controlled the match throughout with disciplined play and tight tackling. They limited the ability of the Pembroke wingers to make any fast breaks. "Our faster girls just haven't gotten any running room," noted Pembroke coach Dominic Hammond.
While this surely is a heartbreaking end for the Cinderella side, the Pink Ladies have a lot to celebrate. They managed to play some exciting rugby in the final of their first Cuppers tournament. Pembroke coach Farzad Saadat had nothing but praise reserved for his players. "I'm very proud of the girls today," he said. "Just getting to the final is an achievement."
They will have to wait a full year, however, before they can take another shot at the title. The St. Anne's/St. Peter's side, in the meantime, can bask in the glow of their championship play.
3rd Apr 2004